Stepladder



April 8, 1930. BENINTENDE STEPLADDER Filed Nov. 16, 1928 i faz/laf',

' Sheets-Sheet l Inventor [aaa'' ,Ea/aah ilona/7a M By @162m April 3, 1930. l.. BENINTENDE 1,754,194l

l STEPLADDER Fld Nov, 16, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor VBy April 8,'1930. 1 BENINTENE 1,754,194

' Y STEPLADDER v Filed Nov. `16, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor faazls'eizz Zezza? f @QM @6/fr.. y

Patented Apr. 8, 1930 LOUIS BENINTENDE, F WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEYV STEPLADDER Application filed November 16, 1928.

The present invention relates to step ladders and has for an object to provide a device of this character of simple construction, con sisting of two parts that can be manufactured p and readily assembled to contemplate the use of a suitable platform or ledge together with means for supporting the same in a horizontalposition thus providing a structure particularly adapted for the use of painters, pa.- perhangers and the like.

Among other `features the `invention comprehends a step ladder which when folded will be in a compact form so that it can be easily carried from one place to another and which can be readily set up in position for use', the platform employed in connection with the step ladder being also of a foldable nature and when open for use supplying an eiiiicient support for the material to vbe used by the workman.

The invention has for a still further obj ect to provide an article of this character which will insure safety for the person engaged in that work and generally to provide a simple and durable ladder that will meet all the requirements as furnished by a strong and steady scaifolding upon which the workman may stand while at work. v

Other objects and advantages reside in the special construction, combination and arrangement of the various elements forming the invention as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like part-s throughout, and in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view toward one side of the ladder, taken substantially along a line 2 2 of Figure 1, i

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the ladder in folded position,

` Figure l is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along a line fie-@1l of Fig* ure 3,

Serial No. 319,966.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail in perspective of the of the platform,

pivotal support for one side .Figure 6 is a perspective view of the combined shelf and rear support for the platform,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the slotted bracket providing a pivotal support for the ends of the platform, and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the platform.

from each other.

` rlhe front legs 5 are provided with the usual steps 8 and the rear legs G aresecured in spaced parallel relation by means of horizontal brace members 9. A bracket l0 is secured to the forward edge of each of the rear legs 6, said brackets being substantially of a U- 'shaped formation in cross section, as clearly `illustrated 1n Figure 7 of the drawings, and is secured to the legs by nails or screws inserted through openings 11 formed 1n the base portion of said brackets.

Each of the parallel side portions 12 of the bracket are provided with vertically extending slotted openings 13 and a similar opening is formed in the legs registering with said slotted opening. The openings in the bracket at each side of the ladder areadapted to receive the opposite ends of a rod 14 extending outwardly from the opposite sides of a tilting platform 15.

The platform l5 is constructed of a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel frame members 16 upon the upper edge of which planks 1 7 are secured@ A horizontal rnd l@ entends between the aair of front legs 5.and is adapted for receiving a forwardly disposed notch 19 formed in the lower edge of the frame members 16 of the platform and when secured inthe manner as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be apparent that the platform will serve to retain the front and rear legs of the ladder in spaced relation. To the lower end of each of the rear legs 6 is pivotally attached the lower ends of the legs 2O of a supporting member, the legs of the support being of sufiicient length to extend slightly above the rear legs 6, said legs 20 being connected at their upper ends to a shelf 21 having its forward edge extending forwardly of the legs and supported by a brace or bracket 22.

A horizontally disposed U-shaped rod 23 is carried by the legs 2,0 of the su port with the ends of said rods bent outwar ly and inserted through openings formed in the respective legs, the outer'end of said rod being threaded for receiving nuts 24 whereby to secure offset portion of the rod-23 at a horizontal plane with the ends thereof.

T he rod 23 is disposed at a proper position upon the legs 20 for receiving notches 25 formedrearwardly in the lower edge of the frame members 16 of the latforin whereby to support the rear end of the platform in a horizontal position. y

It will be observed from an inspection of Figure 6730i the drawing, that the offset portion of the vU-shaped rod 23 is disposed forwardly of they .legs 2O in order that the platform may be swung into a substantially vertical position, as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, when the legs 5 and 6 of the ladder and the legs 20 ofthe support are folded fully inwardly against each other. f When the ladder is in open position the ends of therod 14 will be seated within the.

lower portion of the slotted `opening 13 and in order to'fold the ladder., the rear end of the platform is raised upwardly releasing the notches 25 Vfrom the rod 23 whereby the legs 20 willbe permitted to swing inwardly toward the rearlegs 6.

- Upon the completion of this movement the rear end of the platform may then be tilted downwardly thus reaching the forward legs 5 and permitting the same to be folded together with the legs 6.

It will also be observed that from an 1nspection of Figure 4 of the drawings that the legs 20 of the supporting member are disposed V'inwardly of the rear legl and the platform is of a width less than e space between the legs 2() sothat the platform, when folded, may be disposed between said legs.

By reason of this construction, the ladder may be folded in a substantially 'compact man-ner.

It is ol` vious that my inventionis .susceptvbl to various changes and modifications 1n construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims, and I accordingly claim all such forms of the device to which I am entitled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A folding ladder of the class described comprising front and rear leg members hingedly connected at their upper ends, a tilting platform pivotally mounted for vertical swinging movement to said rear leg members, said platform having notches formed along its lower edge, a supporting member comprising a pair of legs pivotally connected at the lower ends of said rear legmembers, and means carried by the legs lof said supporting member and said front leg for receiving the notches of the platform whereby to support' the same in a horizontal position.

i 2. A folding ladder of the class described comprising front and rear leg members hingedly connected at their upper ends, a tilting platform pivotallyV mounted for vertical swinging movement to said rear leo` members, said platform having notches formed along its lower edge, a supporting member comprising a pair of legs pivotally connected at the lower ends of said rear leg members, and-means carried by the legs of said supporting member. and said front leg for receiving the notches of the platform whereby to support the same. in a horizontal position, said means comprising Vhorizontal rods extending transversely between the respective leg members, the rod carried by said supporting members being of a U-shaped formation and ar ranged with its intermedia-te portion disposed forwardly of the pivotal mounting of the platform whereby to prevent interference by the rod for positioning the platform vertically when the latter is arranged in folded openings formed therein, a tilting platform` having a horizontal rod extended transversely thereof intermediate its ends with its opposite ends disposed in the openings of said bracket, means for pivotally supporting said legs, said platform having notches formed along its lower edge, a rod disposed transversely between the forward le members and adapted for insertion in one o said notches, and a supporting member comprising a pair of legs pivotally connected at their lower ends to the lower portionlof said rear leg members and having a shelf disposed at the upper end of said legs, said supporting member extending slightly above said front and rear leg members whereby to permit the shelf vto be moved into position above the upper end thereof, and a U-shaped rod disposed horlzontally between the legs of said supporting member with its offset portion disposed forwardly of the legs and adapted for insertion in one of the notches of said platform whereby to support the rear end thereof in a horizontal position, the legs of said supporting member being adapted for movement into a; position between the rear leg members with I the offset portion of said U-shaped rod disposed forwardly of the pivoted rod of the platform when each of the legs are disposed in folded position. v

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

LOUIS BENINTENDE. 

